Sometimes, you’ll get a very tangible reward in this life for something you do.
Sometimes, it will go completely unnoticed.
Sometimes, you’ll wonder why you’re living the way you are.
Sometimes, you’ll think you’d just be better off to live however you want.
Sometimes, it will feel as if God doesn’t care that you’re living for him.
It’s in those times, that we need to remember the truth of Proverbs 22:4–“The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.”
No, you aren’t guaranteed that being a great guy also automatically means you’ll be a Big League ball player.
No, you aren’t guaranteed that being the most loving coach also automatically means you’ll win all the games and one day wind up in your state’s hall of fame.
It just doesn’t work that way.
But, living with humility (Jesus calls it being “poor in spirit”) and the fear (awe, reverence, submission, obedience) of the Lord does bring a guarantee. Three guarantees, actually.
If you live in humility and the fear of the Lord, he will reward you with riches. Wait…didn’t I just say that the rewards aren’t always about this life? Correct. So, are we talking about the money kind of riches? Not necessarily. God’s riches are beyond that. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus instructed us to store up riches/treasures in heaven. How? Through obedience to the Lord, we invest in things that will last forever: people. And God promises us treasures in heaven for doing so.
If you live in humility and the fear of the Lord, he will reward you with honor. Whose honor would you rather receive? That of your peers or that of God? Regardless of what honors you miss out on in this life, be assured that God views your faith in and faithfulness to him as worthy of incredible honor from him.
If you live in humility and the fear of the Lord, he will reward you with life. Life in the midst of a decaying world. Life when you don’t feel like living. Life that isn’t dependent on your ever-changing circumstances. Life that takes your focus from your difficulties and puts it on your savior. Life, now and forever.
Lord Jesus, today I choose humility and the fear of the Lord. Teach me more about them every day. I trust in your faithfulness and rewards. Amen.
